Quezon City News October 2016

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Quezon City - Archived News
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The Founder Manuel Quezon
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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

DILG chief confers meritorious award on QC firemen

(PNA), RMA/AMD/RSM

MANILA (PNA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno recognized the Quezon City District fireman for risking life during a fire incident in Quezon City condominium last October 31, 2016.

The DILG secretary, together with BFP OIC Chief Supt. Bobby V. Baruelo, awarded the meritorious Medalya ng Kabayanihan and gave promotion of a next higher rank to SFO1 Florencio Azonsa during their personal visit on Thursday.

Sueno said that he lauded the fireman’s heroic act for saving six people, including a baby trapped inside the burning building.

The fireman is still confined at the Chinese General Hospital where he was rushed after experiencing difficulty in breathing and found out that he also suffered a heart attack because he lent his breathing apparatus to rescue the family.

“Bakit niya pa i-offer yong breathing apparatus niya sa anim na yon? Talagang he risked his own life. Kabayanihan talaga yon,” Sueno stressed.

“That is why we are awarding him the Medalya ng Kabayanihan, a meritorious award and one rank higher,” he added.

Azonsa, meanwhile, shared to Sueno the incident where he was able to give his breathing apparatus to a four-month old baby Jastine Benetiz after noticing that she was gasping for breath.

He also noticed the five relatives screaming for help namely, Lucila Laboc, 80; Evangeline Hagonilyo, 23; Michael Mendoza, 40; Josefina Sanzano, 58; and Michelle Marcol, 26, where he also shared his breathing apparatus while guiding them in the elevator.

All six occupants were very thankful after they rescued safely.

The DILG secretary also awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to four members of the Special Reaction Unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) who were part of of those who put out the fire namely, SFO1 Ernesto B. Belecarpio III, SFO1 Carmelo E. Eugenio, FO3 Bill l. Astudillo, and FO2 Christopher N. Gaor.

Phivolcs boosts tsunami awareness

By Jerome Paunan (PHIVOLCS/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MANILA, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology–Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS) joins the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day today, Nov. 05, with the theme “effective education and evacuation drills”.

In line with the observance, the agency will conduct lectures about tsunami and exhibit tour at PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP Campus. The activities aim to promote geologic hazard awareness and preparedness among the students.

Nov. 5 was chosen in honor of a true story from Japan: “Inamura-no-hi”, which means the “burning of the rice sheaves”. During an 1854 earthquake, a farmer saw the tide receding, a sign of a looming tsunami and he set fire to his harvested rice to warn villagers, who fled to high ground.

Recently, the agency commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami last August 17, 2016. The magnitude-8.1 earthquake hit the island of Mindanao on August 17, 1976 at 12:11 AM (PST) that caused damage and collapse of houses and buildings. The off-shore earthquake produced a massive tsunami killing about 6000 people making it one of the most disastrous tsunami to hit the Philippines. Tsunami waves as high as nine (9) meters struck the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat and it inundated almost all nearby coastal towns.

Likewise, PHIVOLCS encourages schools and the local government units to conduct activities such as Information, Education and Communication Campaigns, and Tsunami Drills that will increase the people’s awareness and preparedness.

QC LGU to manage medical waste disposal

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- Mayor Herbert Bautista announced that the city government will soon manage the collection and disposal of waste materials generated by QC-based medical clinics to minimize the risks to public health and the environment.

“What the city government will be doing is to make sure that these waste materials are properly disposed in the most environment-friendly manner,” said the Mayor.

“Kaysa naman nakatambak kung saan-saan ang mga ito, ang lungsod na lang ang kokolekta,” the Mayor said

However, the Mayor reminded clinic owners that the city government will be imposing certain fees for the collection and disposal of medical wastes.

According to the Revised Health Care Waste Management Manual of the Department of Health (DOH), exposure to hazardous health care wastes may cause disease or injury.

Cities highest-earning LGUs in 2015

(Rappler.com)

Quezon City and Makati were the top earners overall, while Bulacan and Negros Occidental reported the highest revenues among provinces, according to COA's 2015 Annual Financial Report on Local Government Units

MANILA, Philippines – Cities made up the list of 10 highest-earning local government units in 2015, the recently-released Annual Financial Report on LGUs by the Commission on Audit (COA) showeed.

Quezon City was the biggest earner with total reported revenues of P16.365 billion, followed by Makati City with P15.506 billion, and Manila with P12.595 billion.

Only Cebu and Davao were the cities outside Metro Manila that made it to the top 10.

The rest of the highest-earning LGUs were:

• Pasig City – P8.381 billion
• Cebu City – P7.216 billion
• Davao City – P6.171 billion
• Taguig – P6.104 billion
• Caloocan City – P4.355 billion
• Muntinlupa City – P4.154 billion
• Parañaque City – P4.05 billion

The 2015 Annual Financial Report on LGUs, released by COA last week, covered 78 provinces (out of 81), 141 cities (out of 145), and 1,428 municipalities (out of 1,489) in the country.

Bulacan tops provinces

Bulacan reported the biggest earnings among province sin 2015 at P3.802 billion – still lower than the 10th highest-earning city (Parañaque). Negros Occidental was second, with P3.582 billion in earnings, followed by Rizal with P3.318 billion, and Cebu with P3.251 billion

The other top-earning provinces were:

• Pangasinan – P3.1 billion
• Cavite – P3.081 billion
• Laguna – P3.031 billion
• Quezon – P3.026 billion
• Batangas – P2.864 billion
• Nueva Ecija – P2.603 billion
Cainta, Rizal, breaks P1-B mark

Of the 10 municipalities with the biggest revenues last year, only Cainta in Rizal broke the P1-billion mark, reporting a total of P1.165 billion.

Three other Rizal municipalities in Rizal were on the list, as well as 3 in Cavite:

• General Trias (Cavite) – P957.1 million
• Taytay (Rizal) – P700.48 million
• Rosario (Cavite) – P656.18 million
• Mariveles (Bataan) – P617.17 million
• Rodriguez (Rizal) – P593.13 million
• Daan Bantayan (Cebu) – P570.52 million
• Sto. Tomas (Batangas) – P569.88 million
• Binangonan (Rizal) – P552.32 million
• Silang (Cavite) – P541.67 million

Quezon City honors 2016 Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal awardees

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA)--Mayor Herbert Bautista, together with Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and the Quezon City Council, honored outstanding individuals and institutions during the 77th Founding Anniversary of Quezon City.

Twelve individuals and eigth institutions received the 2016 Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal during the award ceremony at Crowne Plaza Hotel, QC last October 22.

These individuals and institutions were recognized for their exemplary achievements in their respective fields.

The Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal is considered the “grandest conferment” given by QC to individuals and institutions who are deemed to have contributed to the history, progress and development of the city.

Dr. Ermelinda Roman, Chair of the Gawad Parangal Selection Board, said that the selection of awardees was a rigorous process that entailed in-depth data gathering. The process ensured that the awardees would stand above the rest when it comes to their contributions to their respectives fields.

The Gawad Parangal insitutional awardees were: Claret School of Quezon City, Liongoren Gallery, Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Veritas, Papemelroti, UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Gonzaga Enterprise and the UP Filipiniana Dance Group, all of which were considered vital contributors in the fields of education, business, arts and culture and community development.

For individual awardees, the esteemed personalities honored by the Gawad Parangal were: Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Justice Francis H. Jardeleza, Ambassador Albert F. Del Rosario, Dr. Corazon Y. Almirante, Mr. Oscar J. Hilado, Chairman Andres D. Bautista, Ms. Mary Jane Sta. Ana Guck (Jaclyn Jose), Bro. Armin A. Luistro, Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J. and Dr. Manuel S. Alba. Posthmous recognition were also given to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and R. Pierre Tritz, SJ.

Mayor Bautista commended the awardees for their part in the infinite network of relationships that bring about the growth and development in Quezon City.

Printer installs solar rooftop

(Manila Standard Business)

The Rex Group of Companies tapped Greenheat Corp. to build a 178.5-kWp solar rooftop at its office in Quezon City, becoming the first publishing house in the Philippines to go solar.

Greenheat, a solar solutions provider, installed the 595-photovoltaic module solar power plant that can generate up to 216,036 kilowatt-hours in its first year of operation, displacing Rex’s power consumption by 20 percent.

Greenheat, which installed the solar rooftop in 155 days, said Rex’s solar energy initiative would reduces carbon emission by 108 metric tons a year. It is like having 1,080 adult trees planted within its vicinity, it said.

“We cannot reduce the impact of climate change without transforming global energy systems, but today, we have the unique opportunity to transform not only our company but society as well,” said Rex Printing chief operating officer Don Timothy Buhain.

The solar power plant is a part of Rex’s energy conservation and efficiency program that institutionalizes the practice of saving energy using available technologies.

“As a company whose core business is to produce books and with paper as its raw material, the solar power plant is definitely a worthwhile project,” said Rex Group chairman and president Dominador Buhain.

Manufacturing companies have the most to gain from going solar because of the nature of their business, according to Greenheat director Glenn Tong.

“Your operations never stop and you have a constant power usage, so by being the pioneer in using this system, Rex is showing that this is the way of the future for the country,” said Tong.

DSWD enhances skills training facilities for PWDs to increase their employability

(DSWD)

QUEZON CITY, OCT. 29 - In line with the provisions of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10524 or an “Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs),” the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assures that it will improve its facilities which provide livelihood and skills training to PWDs to enhance their employability.

Among these are the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centers (NVRCs) and Area Vocational Rehabilitation Centers (AVRCs) located in the National Capital Region and in Regions I, VII, IX, X, and the Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW) located in Project 4, Quezon City.

RA 10524 amends RA 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. The law aims to increase their access to employment opportunities by encouraging government and private agencies and corporations to hire more PWDs.

The law provides that at least one percent of all positions in government agencies, offices or corporations shall be reserved for PWDs. On the other hand, private corporations with more than 100 employees are also enjoined to reserve at least one percent of all positions for PWDs.

Other laws promoting the welfare of PWDs are RA No. 1179 series of 1954, which provides for the promotion of the vocational rehabilitation of the blind and other disabled and their return to civil employment; RA No. 2615, series of 1959 which amends RA No. 1179 and provides for the establishment of the regional rehabilitation training centers and also extends the six month period of Vocational Training for the Disabled Trainees to a period of one year.

Aside from the NVRCs and AVRCs, the DSWD also runs the Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop, as well as residential care facilities catering to the needs of PWDs, such as Elsie Gaches Village in Alabang and the Accelerating Minor's Opportunity for Recovery (Amor) Village in Region III.

From January to September 2016, the Department has served 645 clients through NVRC, AVRCs I, II, III, Center for the Handicapped, and RSW.

Meanwhile, the Department’s residential care facilities has served 777 clients, with Elsie Gaches Village serving 653 clients, and Amor, 124 clients.

The Department also partners with private corporations for the conduct of programs which equip PWDs with the necessary skills for them to have gainful employment and lead productive lives.

DSWD programs for PWDs are Tuloy Aral Walang Sagabal (TAWAG), Early Detection, Prevention, and Intervention of Disability (EDPID), Comprehensive Program for Children/Persons with Disabilities, and Substitute Family Care Service at the different residential centers in Regions I, III, VII, IX, and NCR.

DSWD also offers livelihood training, capital assistance, and employment to PWDs through the RSW. PWDs avail of skills training on sewing, as call center agents, rag making, cooking, massage therapy, among others.

Under the leadership of Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, the DSWD is focused on providing genuine care to all vulnerable sectors through initiatives that will enable them to stand on their own feet.

Sec. Taguiwalo stated, “Nais nating mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga kababayan nating may kapansanan upang sila’y maging produktibo at makapagtrabaho (We want to provide opportunities for our countrymen who have disabilities, so they would become productive and gain employment). ”

“Inaamin naming kulang ang mga pasilidad at kailangan ding ayusin ang mga centers upang mas marami pang mga may kapansanan na indibidwal ang matulungan (We admit that facilities are lacking and we also need to improve our centers so more PWDs can be assisted),” the Secretary added.

“We should always ensure that PWDs have regular access to social protection programs. At the same time, we should respect, promote, and protect their dignity, rights, and welfare. PWDs have the same rights as others. They must be able to enjoy these on an equal basis with non-PWDs,” Sec. Taguiwalo emphasized.

The DSWD is the largest provider of residential care to the disadvantaged sectors of the society, including PWDs, managing a total of sixty-four (64) residential care facilities and seven (7) non- residential care facilities nationwide.

Indigenous peoples’ meet with Gina Lopez turns into 3-way talk with AFP chief

By Jaymee T. Gamil (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Indigenous peoples (IP) calling for the demilitarization of their communities had a chance to air their gripes directly to the military chief yesterday during a dialogue with Environment Secretary Gina Lopez at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

The indigenous peoples from across the Philippines are holding a weeks-long campout on the campus of the state university to bring to national attention their plights in their communities.

Lopez listened to various concerns—from calls to close mining sites to demands for justice for the killing of indigenous peoples in the past year.

When she heard that one of the calls of the indigenous groups was to demilitarize their communities, she phoned Gen. Ricardo Visaya on the spot and put the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff on speaker phone to allow him to explain the military’s side.

Visaya explained to the indigenous peoples: “The soldiers assigned to your place are not there to disturb you but to respond to the presence of the NPA (New People’s Army) who are exploiting you.”

“It’s not militarization. When you speak of militarization, the military interferes with the barangay—how your place is to be run. They just guide you. They will just teach you so there will be quiet and happiness,” Visaya said, to increasing murmurs from the gathered tribal folk.

‘The NPA recruit lumad’

From Agusan del Sur province, where he was at the time, Visaya said, “Each encounter with the NPA, those who are killed are lumad. The NPA recruit lumad. We don’t want you to join them.”

Lopez, upon hearing the reactions of the indigenous people’s leaders, told Visaya that “they’re concerned the military is killing civilians.”

Visaya responded: “There are lumad who die because they joined the NPA.” This was met with jeers from the crowd, which gave way to cries of “berdugo!” and chants of “militar sa kanayunan, pagbayarin!”

Earlier, Lopez assured the indigenous peoples about Visaya: “He’s for you… He doesn’t want the militarization of ancestral domains. If something happens after he says it’s enough, you just contact him, or contact us. Let’s fix it.…So we will work together.”

Cancel permit, stop violence

Minda Dalinan, representing the B’laan tribe from South Cotabato, noted the perceived link between mining in their area and the military presence. “Cancel [the permit of] Sagittarius Mining. If it’s cancelled, the violence from the military and police will stop.”

She also spoke out against the heavy-handed response to the indigenous peoples’ rallies in Metro Manila over the past week. “Despite the violence we suffer in the countryside, they still inflict violence on us in Metro Manila. What does the AFP and especially the police want? Why don’t they allow us to say what we feel?”

A rally by the IPs at AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, was met with a water cannon. At the US Embassy in Manila, tear gas cannisters were lobbed and a policeman ran over protesters with a van.

Maynilad spending P428M for new pumping station

By Ronnel W. Domingo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is building a P428-million supplementary pumping station in La Mesa, which is expected to increase water pressure for some customers in the cities of Quezon and Caloocan.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s concessionaire for the west zone of Greater Manila Area said the project, dubbed North A Pumping Station Annex, would serve more than 84,000 households, including 10,000 new customers.

These are customers who are located in Barangays Greater Lagro and Pasong Putik in Quezon City; and Barangays Deparo I & II, Bagumbong, Urduja, Malaria, Barracks, Tala, Miramonte Heights, Mountain Heights, Congressional Housing, Bagong Silang, Zabarte, and Camarin Area A, B, C & D in Caloocan City.

“We strive to keep water pressure consistently strong even in highly elevated portions of our concession area,” Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito S. Fernandez said in a statement. “Investing in new pumping stations is a vital part of that effort.”

With the new pumps, customers in the areas mentioned will see water pressure increase to 16 pounds per square inch (psi) from 7 psi.

The project involves the installation of four new pumps to support the existing six pumps of North A Pumping Station.

This would raise the capacity of North A to 430 million liters of water daily from 150 million liters.

The project is part of Maynilad’s P883-million kitty for this year, allotted for the construction of new pumping stations.

The company is also building pumping stations in Victoria Homes, Muntinlupa City, and in Magdiwang in Bacoor, Cavite.

These would add to Maynilad’s 27 existing pumping stations located in strategic locations throughout its concession area.

QC okays budget for drug council, rehab facility

By JHESSET O. ENANO (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Quezon City government approved on Tuesday during its joint committee hearing for the 2017 budget the proposed funding for an antidrug advisory council and drug rehabilitation facility.

The plenary approved a budget of over P48 million for the city’s Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (CADAAC) and more than P58 million for Tahanan, its drug treatment and rehabilitation center, for the next fiscal year.

Data showed that the proposed funds for the advisory council went up by over 60 percent to P48.8 million from this year’s estimated budget of P30 million while nearly P9 million was added to the proposed budget of Tahanan. —

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/833556/qc-okays-budget-for-drug-council-rehab-facility#ixzz4OEDnAr5F Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

PCUP and QC’s 2nd District leaders launch national 'Urban Poor Kontra Droga' initiative

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), SCS/LSJ]

MANILA, Oct. 25 (PNA) -- Almost 500 leaders and constituents of the five biggest barangays in Quezon City’s Second District gathered together on Tuesday to showcase their willingness to succeed in fighting the drug problem as they supported the national launching of the “Urban Poor Kontra Droga” initiative toward a drug-free community.

They were mobilized as the QC’s Second District Contingents as Rep. Winnie Castelo partnered with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) in the program launching held at the Covered Court of New Capitol Estate I in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

The five barangays comprising Quezon City's Second District -- Commonwealth, Batasan Hills, Bagong Silangan, Payatas, and Holy Spirit -- are considered the most populous barangays in the city. As of the 2010 Census, the district has a population of 1,611,488, more than half of the city's 2,761,720 total population.

Castelo, considered as champion of the urban poor in the district, is one of the strong advocates of ensuring that his poor constituents can win against demolition and instead integrate the poor through socialized housing programs.

“Dito sa aming distrito ay walang gibaan; awarding ng lupa ang ginagawa namin dito (Here in our district, we are not pushing for demolition; instead what we put forward is awarding of land),” he said as he compared how his district in QC addresses the problem of the urban poor in comparison with other areas where demolitions of informal settlers are taking place.

In line with that, he said that such success is something that they are also looking forward to as they launched the urban poor initiative toward a drug-free society.

“Our campaign today is not only about success on land distribution, it is harder — to free our youth, children from the ill-effects of drugs in our society…Will you join us in the fight?,” he asked the leaders who all nodded and replied "yes" as they declared the “revolution” or war against drugs/pushers that are destroying the future of the young people.

Castelo also called on the people to continue supporting the fight of President Rodrigo R. Duterte against drugs as he cited that there are statistics showing that the commission of crimes such as carnapping, rape, "akyat-bahay," etc., which are drug-related, has gone down by almost 32 percent as the campaign on illegal drugs heightened.

He explained to them that if a person is hooked in drugs and has no money to keep access to the vice, the drug dependent may resort to criminal acts.

He said that the initiative is also a way of showing love to the family members and relatives of children who are drug dependents as they recognize the seriousness of the problem.

He added that services in terms of housing, education, distribution of land titles should be complemented with an assurance that the society is kept protected against the danger of proliferation of drugs which can damage the future of the young and may deter them from becoming productive citizens.

“In other words, the root of all evils is in drug addiction…And if we're able to cut the cause (source), it will cause the crime rate to turn low as proven by General Eleazar (Senior Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar) in our city,” he added.

The first ever-launching of the program tapping the urban sector aims to empower the poor to be part in the continuous fight against drugs and in the context of having a supportive community-based support program for the drug dependents who are also considered as “victims.”

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial (not present in the launching) has said in previous interviews that drug dependents or addicts are actually “victims” and as victims they deserve to be “rehabilitated” and be given the chance to reform themselves so that they can be integrated back into the society.

Rep. Terry Ridon, who has been appointed by President Duterte as chairperson of the PCUP, said that the national campaign is in support to the President's war against drugs.

He stressed it is important that communities will be present after the operation of the Philippine National Police “Oplan Tokhang” through the community rehabilitation system.

Ridon added that the large-scale rehabilitation facilities currently being built in Nueva Ecija should not be waited to be finished before doing rehabilitation initiatives.

“Kailangan po mismo sa ating mga barangay, sa atin pong mismong mga komunidad ay naikakasa na po natin ang intervention ng pamahalaan para makatugon, para mailayo ang ating mga kabataan, sa tulong ng mga kasamahan sa komunidad, sa problema ng droga (There is a need that start in our own community the intervention needed so we can involve everyone in protecting our young people against the ill-effects of drugs),” he added.

He further said that the “Urban Poor Kontra Droga” initiative will also be launched later in Manila, Pasay Caloocan and other cities in cooperation with the PNP, the Dangerous Drugs Board and other agencies.

Meanwhile, Police Supt. Belli Tamayo, who represented PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, cited the success of “Oplan Tokhang” and other accomplishments of the PNP in the fight against drugs.

Tamayo told the attendees that they can engage themselves in reporting or may text at PNP Bato Hotline -2286 to give information on the criminals they know to help the PNP arrest and jail the pusher/s.

As the launching ended, they sang the song “Magkaisa,” holding each other’s hands to signify the need for joint efforts to achieve a common goal as there is a lot to be accomplished if everyone is actively involved.

The attendees were also given the chance to attend a seminar session in the afternoon so that they may have knowledge about drug abuse

Under the community-based approach, the idea is there will be medical interventions, livelihood programs through partnership with the Department of Agriculture, urban poor support groups for the rehabilitated patients, information and education, etc.

The Department of Health (DOH) is tasked to provide training for the medical health personnel involved in the rehabilitation program.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is also expected to provide the assistance needed by the families of those assessed for rehabilitation by ensuring that an appropriate program will be available for them.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) can be involved by providing training on developing the livelihood skills of the rehab patients.

Church-based and other organizations can also be tapped in this undertaking as they can also help the families and the rehab patients in the efforts in integrating back the drug victims to the society so that they cannot be tempted back into drug addition.

Quezon City holds job fair at 5th district

(Manila Standard)

The Quezon City government has conducted a job fair for unemployed and under-employed residents in the city’s 5th district.

The job fair held October 20 at SM Novaliches offered a wide array of openings, for both local and overseas employment.

For local manpower pooling, available job postings are for call center agents, engineers, clerks, office staff, service and kitchen crews, cashiers, baggers and sales personnel.

For overseas employment, most needed are skilled workers and heavy equipment operators.

About 20 firms participated in the activity, which was jointly hosted by the city’s Public Employment and Services Office and the Office of Councilor Jose Visaya. Participating firms included Convergys, Sitel, SM Supermarket, DMCI Construction, EEI Construction, Bioessence, Gardner College, and CDO among others.

Mayor Herbert Bautista has been pursuing an aggressive employment program initiative to complement his administration’s business development plan for the city to attract more investors and at the same time provide livelihood and employment.

Job fairs organized by the Quezon City government successfully attracted and assisted thousands of the city's unemployed over the past years.

PESO records show that in 2015, a total of 15,807 job applicants registered during the job fairs conducted by PESO either at QC Hall or in the city’s barangays. Of the total, 3,712 applicants were hired for a placement rating of 23.48 percent.

In 2014, the figure was 19,448. Of the number, 3,423 applicants were hired for a placement rating of 17.60 percent.

Barangays covered by the fifth district are Bagbag, Capri, Fairview, Greater Lagro, Gulod, Kaligayahan, Nagkaisang Nayon, North Fairview, Novaliches Proper, Pasong Putik, San Agustin, San Bartolome, Santa Lucia and Santa Monica.

Quaint QC cafe features specialty Filipino coffee

By Arianne Merez (ABS-CBN News)

QUEZON CITY- With the rise of third wave coffee shops in the metro, a quaint cafe in Quezon City seeks to popularize specialty Filipino coffee.

Brown Paper Project Cafe is a local cafe that aims to promote appreciation for local beans like those sourced from Benguet.

The cafe, which was established by a group of friends who frequents coffee shops, shows customers the "seed-to-cup" journey of coffee.

"We want to help support the industry. Actually that's one of the visions of the shop, to help educate other consumers. We want them to appreciate specialty coffee," co-owner Keith Shy said.

The cafe also prepares coffee in different ways depending on customer preference as you can have it espresso-style or manually brewed.

For those looking for a light meal to pair with their coffee, the cafe offers sweets and savory dishes such as chocolate waffles, Tori Chicken Sandwich, and Chocolate Ganache Cake.

Brown Paper Project Cafe is located at 75B Rosa Alvero St., Xavierville, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Quezon City police cars to have dash cams

By JHESSET O. ENANO (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

For their own safety as well as the public’s, police cars in Quezon City will soon come equipped with dashboard cameras.

An ordinance recently passed on third reading by the city council requires the installation of “dash cams” both outside and inside all patrol cars of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD). Authored by Councilor Gian Carlo Sotto, the measure hopes that having such cameras would deter police abuse in the apprehension of suspects.

On Monday, Mayor Herbert Bautista cited the city government’s effort to modernize the QCPD by distributing 500 pistols, 500 bullet-proof vests, 50 more patrol cars, and 150 motorcycles among its members.

Bautista earlier said the government would allocate around P150 million to upgrade the capabilities of the city’s police force and fire department.

QCPD director Senior Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said around P128-million worth of equipment, including a bus, mobile radios, and handguns, had already been approved for acquisition.

A satellite office for the QCPD Anti-Cybercrime Group was also being planned, Bautista said, to be funded by the city’s supplementary budget.

DSWD holds dialogue with IP groups; assures continued support to improve the plight of minorities

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), SCS/LSJ/RSM]

MANILA, Oct. 21 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led the consultation dialogue with leaders of various indigenous people’s groups such as the Lumads, Aetas, Cordillera People’s Alliance, and Kasalo Caraga, among others, during the "Lakbayan 2016 ng Pambansang Minorya Para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan" on Thursday at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said on Friday that during the dialogue, leaders of the various minority groups expressed their common concerns and grievances, including lack of support from the previous administrations which translated into inadequate basic social services, such as health, education, infrastructure, electricity, employment and livelihood opportunities.

They also aired their protest over the continuing exploitation and encroachment of their ancestral lands by local and foreign entities, which build dams, carry out mining operations, put up plantations and other establishments in their communities, shutting out the tribal groups.

The leaders said they travelled from Mindanao and Northern Luzon to other parts of the Philippines “para malaman ng pamahalaan at aming mga kababayan ang aming mga hinaing (So the government and our countrymen will be aware of our grievances).”

"Tatay Alberto," a Subanen from Zamboanga Peninsula, lamented, “Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, nagpalit-palit na ang mga presidente at administrasyon, ay hindi umayos ang kalagayan ng aming kabuhayan, kalusugan at edukasyon (For a long period of time, presidents and administrations havechanged but our lives, livelihood, health and education have not improved).”

He said that they experienced continuous grabbing of their ancestral lands.

He also shared their sentiments on the "militarization of their communities."

"The military accuses us of being New People's Army (NPA) rebels; they organize some of our tribesmen into CAFGUs and instigate us to fight against each other,” he said.

Alberto also expressed their support to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Independent Foreign Policy.

He also shared their common sentiments and desire for the American soldiers to leave "because the US imperialists, in the process, are helping in organizing the CAFGUs resulting to chaos in our communities."

On the other hand, "Tatay Danny," spokesperson of KASALO Caraga, stated that outsiders dictate the prices of their products.

Since they have to travel seven kilometers from their villages to the nearest town market, their products are often wilted or spoiled and they cannot command good prices.

“Ang aming mga produkto, katulad ng mais at saging, kadalasan ay sira na pagdating sa bayan. Kailangan namin ay maayos na daan upang mapabilis ang pagdadala namin ng aming mga produkto sa pamilihan (Our products, like corn and bananas, are often spoiled when we reached town. We need good farm-to-market roads so we can speedily transport our products to the market),” he added.

He also appealed to the government that their children who have finished schooling be given jobs.

Abuses against women and children

Meanwhile, "Tatay Andres" from the Cordilleras narrated: “Napakabagal ng pagresponde ng DSWD noong nakaraang administrasyon sa mga apektado ng kalamidad sa aming lugar (During the previous administration, DSWD’s response to those affected by calamities in our area was so slow).”

He also enumerated the alleged abuses of the military against women and children and for using children as spies, even desecrating their rituals and traditions.

“Ang kailangan namin ay maagap na pagtugon ng DSWD at lokal na pamahalaan sa mga kaso ng pang-aabuso sa aming mga kababaihan at mga bata (What we need is prompt response by DSWD and local governments to the cases of abuse against our women and children),” he emphasized.

For her part, Secretary Taguiwalo assured the minority groups of DSWD's continued support.

Earlier, Taguiwalo and other DSWD officials and employees participated in a solidarity lunch with the tribal groups’ leaders.

“Patuloy namin kayong susuportahan sa inyung adhikain na magkaroon ng tunay na kaunlaran at kapayapaan (We shall continue to support your aspirations for real progress and peace),” the DSWD Chief said.

The dialogue concluded with a solidarity pledge among the DSWD officials and employees and the minority groups.

PNP donates 1.5 million pencils for ‘Lapis’ campaign

(PNP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, 20 October (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) donated 1.5 million pieces of pencils in line with the One Million Lapis Campaign spearheaded by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

PNP’s Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Division Chief Police Superintendent Angela Rehano led the donation received by Department of Education’s External Partnerships Service Director Margarita Ballesteros.

The campaign aims to collect pencils to be given to underprivileged elementary school children from the 4th to 6th class municipalities nationwide.

MMDA: DPWH to conduct road reblocking this weekend

(PNA), BNB/ABP

MANILA, Oct. 19 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will conduct road reblocking and repairs along some roads in Quezon City this weekend.

In advisory issued by the Metropolitan Manila from midnight on Saturday (Oct. 22) until midnight on Sunday (Oct. 23), the DPWH will conduct road reblocking and repairs in the areas of Mindanao Avenue before Mindanao Tunnel southbound and Litex-Batasan Gate along Batasan Gate eastbound directions.

DPWH-National Capital Region Director Melvin Navarro has recommended the reblocking and repair of the said areas for maintenance purposes. Motorists are advised to avoid the said areas and take alternate routes.

GAOC stands for quality dental service and more

(BusinessMirror)

Consistent quality dental practice and excellent customer service are what Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center, or GAOC, is known for.

It is because its founder, Dr. Steve Mark Gan, is a staunch advocate of unparalleled excellence in oral care, coupled with reliable and passionate service acumen to customers. This led to the rise of GAOC as a leading dental center in the country and one of the best in the Southeast Asian region.

As soon as he went back to the country after an intensive training and residency in the United States, Gan’s vision was already crystal clear and defined: GAOC will be the leading dental center in the Philippines known for its impressive menu of services that cater to almost all dental requirements and provided by a team of dental experts led by Gan himself, a fixture of state-of-the-art oral-care equipment yet to be seen in the Philippines, and manned by a highly trained staff whose mission is to provide service to the most discriminating patients in a most professional, yet gentle, manner amid an appealing and caring environment to ensure total customer comfort and satisfaction.

Services extraordinaire

Name the service you want and GAOC will most surely have it. From cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, prosthodontics, dental implants, orthodontics, endodontics, general and pediatric dentistry, anesthesiology, teeth grinding and TMJ disorders, GAOC prides itself with giving top-notch care from the conventional to the most complicated oral-rehabilitation procedures to its demanding customers.

GAOC spared no expense in assembling the brightest minds in the dental profession in the Philippines today to provide these services. These dentists also undergo mandatory high-quality training, both here and even abroad, where dental technologies are among the most advanced in the world to be able to continue working for GAOC. It is because Gan himself, with his extensive academic background, is a firm believer in continuing education for dental-care practitioners in order to provide excellent service.

Top-notch equipment

TO be able to provide its services, GAOC enlisted the best global technologies available when it comes to oral diagnostic and surgical procedures, dental implantology and jaw reconstruction. Investments were made on top-of-the-line materials, equipment and devices that can handle various dental procedures and can meet the demands of discerning patients.

Foremost among the equipment touted as the first of its kind in the country include a three-in-one digital dental diagnostic scanner. It is composed of a cone beam computed tomography (CT) scanner, cephalometric and panoramic x-ray that shows an accurate, high-resolution image to help dentists in assessing the problem correctly and recommend the best treatment plan. Other notable features of the GAOC facility are the Procera Forte Scanner, the latest and most accurate instrument for scanning crowns, laminates and abutments, and even longer bridges for both teeth and implant restorations, and the ShofuSingleMat Porcelain Furnace that has a user-friendly, single-firing platform with Quartz Muffle to be able to carve precise dental molds every time.

Of course, the purpose of the equipment will be put to naught if not for GAOC’s skilled laboratory staff. Closely following dentists’ instructions, they take the lead in carrying out various tasks like mixing ingredients, filling dental-appliance molds, sculpting and building forms, bending and soldering wires, even grinding and polishing finished work.

And the GAOC lobby is the epitome of what “ultimate patient care” is all about. While many may be intimidated at the sight of a dental clinic, the vibe at GAOC is mainly that of a beauty and wellness facility. The renowned GAOC service is immediately felt and your senses will be delighted by a relaxing environment not found in other dental clinics. You will even be made fully aware of the form of treatment since it will be explained in the most professional, meticulous, yet easily understandable, manner, making each of your visits to GAOC as something you can look forward to every time.

Spreading GAOC’s wings for the future

TO further spread the word of his vision of excellent dental care to more Filipinos, Gan also established Metro Dental, a pioneering world-class dental chain in the country. GAOC provides luxury, yet affordable, dental-care but made affordable for everyone. “I know that there are those who want to experience opulent dental care services that will not hurt their budget, ” Gan explains.

The future of GAOC is, likewise, laid out by Gan to help further grow the status of his renowned clinic locally and even internationally, and his pioneering vision of promoting the Philippines as a hub for “Dental Tourism” will not only benefit GAOC but also the entire dental practice in the country.

“We will definitely push to make the Philippines as a dental tourism hub in the region, perhaps, the whole world. Our advantage is we can offer the same high-end dental care and expertise that more modern clinics in other progressive countries offer but at the most affordable rates. We hope GAOC can contribute to lifting the tourism status of our country where we can give visiting tourists not only the best beaches and tourist spots but also the perfect smile they truly deserve,” Dr. Gan emphasized.

Visit Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center branches at the Medical Plaza Makati, Trinoma, The Residences at Greenbelt, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Global City and Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City. For more details go to www.gaocdental.com.

MMDA, Rotarians ‘adopt an intersection’

(Manila Standard)

Rotarians in Quezon City have pledged to support the various plans and projects of the Metro Manila Development Authority as part of their civic duties to do their bit in helping solve the traffic crisis anchored on the “shared burden, shared responsibility principle.”

MMDA chairman and general manager Tim Orbos urged the Rotarians to help the government in dealing with traffic, garbage, flooding, illegal parking and vending even as he assured that massive efforts are being done to address these problems. Orbos addressed the District 3780 Rotary club presidents and other Rotarians at the Joint Interclub meeting at Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato over the weekend.

“We cannot do it alone in government and for the metropolis which has 12.5-million residents and a high of 15-million people during daytime with about 2.3-million vehicles traversing the streets especially Edsa and 30,000 new added every month, we simply needs everyone’s support and understanding,” said Orbos.

He said that since traffic is everybody’s problem that affects everyone, he encouraged all sectors to be part of the solution and every little input and contribution such as observing traffic and parking rules will go a long way in easing the burden of majority.

Orbos proposed the implementation of an “Adopt an Intersection Project” to be pioneered in Quezon by more than 100 Rotary clubs that will make possible the participation of civic clubs in various choke points in Quezon City in terms of logistical support from manpower thru traffic volunteers, donation of raincoats and boots to traffic enforcers and street cleaners including installation of public announcement system to monitor pedestrians an drivers.

Among the suggestions of Orbos when it comes to “attitudinal change” include planning travel trips ahead by hitting the road two hours ahead, carpooling, less use of hazard lights while parking that normally cause traffic, reporting choke points and proper and disciplined driving.

On traffic enforcement, Orbos said that on any given day, there are about 2,300 MMDA traffic enforcers augmented by at least 800 HPG men from all over the country and only a handful 40 Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to monitor 12,000 buses mostly colorum driven by undisciplined drivers.

He assured the public that the 100-day old administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and DOTr Secretary Tugade together with MMDA, the Metro Manila Council and the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group are doing their best to address the traffic problem.

Indigenous peoples, Moros launch national minority alliance

By Dee Ayroso (Bulatlat)

“Sandugo reflects the legacy and history of the valiant struggle of our ancestors and noble sacrifice of the martyrs who gave their lives in the defense of our ancestral lands and territories, identity, culture and way of life against the onslaught of colonization.”

MANILA – Indigenous peoples and Moros launched an alliance of national minority today, Oct. 15, as they vowed to intensify the defense of their ancestral lands and the struggle for self-determination.

The formation of Kilusan ng mga Moro at Katutubong Mamamayan para sa Sariling Pagpapasya (Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-determination), or Sandugo for short, was announced at the end of a two-day assembly by delegates of the 3,500-strong Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya who arrived in Manila between Oct. 12 and Oct. 13.

In Filipino, “sandugo” means “blood compact,” referring to the symbolic unity ritual held by leaders of different tribes, whether signalling a time of peace or a joint preparation for war. Sandugo conveners said its formation signals a more formidable, unified rank that will face destructive, foreign companies, which encroach into their ancestral lands, whether for mining, plantations, energy projects and other forms of development aggression.

It also signals how the fight against national oppression and discrimination by Moros and indigenous peoples has risen to a higher level, as they advance the struggle for the right to self-determination as part of the Filipino people’s struggle for national democracy and liberation.

“A blood compact united our ancestors way back in history. Now we are united again in one struggle,” said Amirah Lidasan,w national chairperson of Suara Bangsamoro.

The Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) and Suara Bangsamoro led the formation of Sandugo, which comprises of representatives of at least 26 of the 153 Philippine ethnolinguistic groups. Its allied groups include the regional Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), the biggest formation of Cordilleran groups, and Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad (Kalumaran), the Mindanao-wide alliance of Lumad groups.

“Sandugo reflects the legacy and history of the valiant struggle of our ancestors and noble sacrifice of the martyrs who gave their lives in the defense of our ancestral lands and territories, identity, culture and way of life against the onslaught of colonization,” said the Sandugo unity statement in Filipino.

“We became the minority because of the systematic policies and oppression by the state, and its discrimination which deprived us and trampled on our inherent right to self-determination,” said the Sandugo statement.

In reading one of Sandugo’s resolutions, Beverly Longid, global coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), said that aside from being the stewards of the country’s rich natural resources and diverse culture, the national minorities also have much to contribute to national development, as their collective way of life inherently values environmental protection, selflessness and the interest of the majority and the next generation.

Lidasan cited the “positive political climate” under the Duterte administration, and the strong, unified campaigns by indigenous peoples from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the recent years as the basis for the formation of Sandugo.

The Sandugo assembly adopted its first two resolutions: 1. To propose to the peace panels of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to have a separate section on the national minorities in the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Rights (Caser).

2. To propose to UP Diliman to put up a symbolic or non-symbolic kampuhan (people’s camp) for the national minorities, to serve as an alternative center for education, coordinate solidarity activities, and as part of the state university’s role in correcting the historical errors against the indigenous peoples and Moros.

In response, NDFP consultant Loida Magpatoc said the national minorities concerns were already included in the draft sections on the rights of the working people and on agrarian reform and rural development. Another peace consultant, Kennedy Bangibang vowed to assert a section for the national minorities in Caser.

UP Chancellor Michael Tan also agreed with the proposal for UP, adding that all students should have a subject in Philippine studies and Islamic studies to complete their education as Filipinos.

Also presented at the assembly were the convenors of Sandugo, representing the ethnolinguistic tribes. A number of advocates from church groups and the academe were among the convenors, including UP Chancellor Tan.

The assembly was held at the GT-Toyota Asian Center in the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City from Oct. 14 to 15.

Editor's note: Moros are Muslims and are not indigenous people. They are the followers of the religion of Islam. Their DNA make them indigenous not their faith.

SSS joins celebration of Elderly Filipino Week

(SSS)

QUEZON CITY - In celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week, the Social Security System (SSS) participated in a special forum hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and Coalition of Services for the Elderly (COSE) on October 7 at the SM North Skydome in Quezon City.

With this year’s theme “Pagmamahal at Respeto ng Nakababata, Nagpapaligaya sa Nakakatanda,” discussions were held regarding current policy interventions in response to major issues concerning the elderly specifically elder abuse and the SSS pension increase during the forum.

Top photo shows SSS Chief Actuary and Senior Vice President for Actuarial Services Division George S. Ongkeko Jr. respond to queries from a pensioner about the proposed P2,000 pension increase, which the SSS said would need a specified source of funding such as government subsidies or a higher SSS contribution rate. Ongkeko also presented the projected impact of implementing the P2,000 pension increase on SSS fund life as well as on current and future SSS members and pensioners.

Also at the panel were Bayan Muna General Counsel Atty. Cristina P. Yambot, COSE Project Coordinator Aura C. Sevilla and Federation of Free Workers President Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula, a former member of the Social Security Commission which functions as the SSS governing board.

PNP honors outstanding female cops

(PNP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Zonta Club of Makati-Paseo de Roxas honored the Ten Outstanding Policewomen in the Philippines (TOPWP) Wednesday in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

PNP chief Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa congratulated the winners and thanked the Zonta Club of Makati-Paseo de Roxas for their continuous support and recognition to the organization.

According to the PNP, the winners were selected based on their service record and achievements and result of a panel interview by a board of judges.

The ten outstanding policewomen awardees are PSupt Criselda Yee De Guzman – Deputy Chief of Police for Operation, Muntinlupa City Police Station; PSupt Elizabeth Flores Velasquez – Chief, Police Community Relation/PIO, Highway Patrol Group; PSInsp Anjanette Padilla Tirador – Chief, Investigation Unit, Tagum City Police Station; PSInsp Jenelyn Mortero Kiwingan – OIC, Calanasan Municipal Police Station; PSInsp Sheryl Yu Bautista – Assistant Team Leader, Regional Intelligence Division, PRO-7.

The other awardees are SPO1 Aileen Parayno Catugas – Chief, Pre-charge Investigator, Provincial Investigation and Detective Management, Pangasinan PPO; PO3 Abigail Barrera Rayala – Women and Children Protection Desk PNCO, Albay PPO; PO2 Maricar Sison Anastacio – PCR/ Women and Children Protection Desk PNCO, Bulacan PPO; PO2 Lalaine Rosales Castro – Regional Police Community R8elations, PRO-8; and PO2 Haidelyn Pimentel Arevalo – PCR PNCO, Masbate PPO

The TOPWP is an annual competition whose aim is to discover and recognize the efforts and achievements of the female members of the national police force.

The award was initiated by Zonta Club of Makati-Paseo de Roxas together with the PNP who seeks to identify heroic women in the police force who are able to gain the support of the community to prevent and solve crimes in their locality.

Each TOPWP awardee received a 9mm pistol from ARMSCOR and P30,000 cash prize.

NDRRMC conducts pre-disaster risk assessment for effects of LPA

(NDRRMC)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 13 - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Pre Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Core Group met yesterday, 12 October 2016 at the NDRRM Operations Center, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, to monitor the effects of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Asec Kristoffer James E Purisima chaired the meeting attended by representatives from DOST, DILG, DSWD, NEDA, DOT, DSWD, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, DENR-MGB, DepEd, DPWH, DOH, Project NOAH, AFP, PNP, PCG, LMP and PIA. It was also participated in, via Skype, by the PDRA Core Group of the Regional DRRM Council of Regions 1, 2, 3, 5 and CAR.

PAGASA reported that the LPA located 715 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar will bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and isolated thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas and CARAGA. It is likely to develop into a Tropical Depression within 24 hours and will be named, “Karen”.

The issuance of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 is possible by Friday over the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon. Moderate to occasionally heavy rains within the 500 km diameter of the tropical cyclone is expected. Likewise, there is possibility of cancellation of sea travel between the Provinces of Sorsogon and Samar Area on Friday. By Sunday morning, the weather system is expected to be closest to Polilio Island-Quezon-Aurora area.

The National Council has advised all concerned Regional and Local DRRM Councils to take precautionary measures in relation to the weather system. Residents in low-lying areas are alerted against the possibility of landslides and flashfloods.

DILG has ensured the local governments’ readiness via Operation LISTO while DSWD assured the prepositioning of food packs and funds in the regional offices likely to be affected.

At 6:00 PM, today, the NDRRM Operations Center will raise its alert status to BLUE to continuously monitor the effects of the weather system. Further, a follow up PDRA meeting shall be conducted tomorrow at 3:00 PM.

Relic of Pope John Paul II will be at Veritas Chapel starting Thursday

(PNA),CVL/FGP/EBP

MANILA, Oct. 12 (PNA) -- The relic of Saint Pope John Paul II will be in Quezon City for more than a week starting Thursday.

In a statement, the Church-run Radio Veritas 846 said that the relic will be open for public veneration at its chapel, located at the second floor of Veritas Tower, 162 West Ave. corner EDSA in Quezon City, in time for the saint’s forthcoming feast day.

His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his papal inauguration on Oct. 22, said the statement.

Up for public veneration is a First Class Relic, “ex-sanguine”, or from the blood, of the patron saint of the World Youth Day and the World Meeting of Families.

Devotees of Saint Pope John Paul II may visit his relic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Known as the most widely traveled pope in history after visiting 129 countries during his pontificate, Pope John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland.

He was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964, and was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967.

In 1978, he became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years and would go on to serve for 27 years until 2005, to become the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX.

Pope John Paul II died at the age of 84 at the Vatican on April 2, 2005, the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday.

He was beatified on May 1 six years later at the Saint Peter's Square by Pope Benedict XVI, who was his immediate successor, and was canonized on April 27, 2014, along with Pope John XXIII.

The saint has visited the Philippines twice -– in February 1981, when he beatified the first Filipino martyr, Lorenzo Ruiz; and in January 1995, when an estimated four million Filipinos attended the Mass he celebrated at the close of World Youth Day and is considered as the largest single gathering in Christian history.

Environmental group, gov't agencies celebrate 'Green Action Week'

(EcoWaste)

QUEZON CITY -- People from all walks of life trooped to Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) in Quezon City to celebrate the Green Action Week, which is observed in over 30 countries across the globe from October 3 to 9.

To celebrate the week-long global campaign to promote sustainable consumption, the EcoWaste Coalition organized a fun-filled yet informative “Bahay Kubo in the City: Organic Urban Gardening for Healthy Communities” event at QMC.

It was held at the “Joy in Urban Farming,” an urban agriculture demonstration site within the QMC, which promotes organic farming and gardening to ensure a supply of nutritious and chemical free-vegetables for the children feeding program of Quezon City’s schools.

The EcoWaste Coalition conducted the “barrio fiesta” advocacy event in partnership with the Office of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, the Office of Quezon City Councilor Beth Delarmente and the National Solid Waste Management Commission.

During the event, participants took part in traditional fiesta games with a “green” twist and listened to practical information shared by urban agriculture practitioners who demonstrated that the lack of space is not a hindrance for growing organic food crops, which can be grown even in recycled containers.

“We have gathered here today to celebrate the benefits of growing organic vegetables in our homes, schools and workplaces to address our people’s right to adequate and safe food,” stated Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“By taking part in the Green Action Week, we hope to inspire city residents to discover for themselves the benefits of organic gardening not only to improving maternal and child nourishment, but also to building greener homes and neighborhoods,” she added.

Sen. Francis”Kiko” Pangilinan, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, congratulated the EcoWaste Coalition and the event co-organizers for the initiative as he noted “we are a net importer of agriculture products which means that we are not producing enough food for all the 100 million plus Filipinos.”

“This is precisely why the United Nations sees urban agriculture as the solution to hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation that most urban areas in developing countries like the Philippines are experiencing,” the senator said in a message sent to the EcoWaste and read at the event.

Pangilinan has filed Senate Bill 988, “An Act Promoting Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming,” to institutionalize “urban agriculture” and “vertical farming” or indoor agriculture in skyscrapers and other modern buildings to help reduce urban poverty, ensure food security, and enhance urban environment management.

For her part, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said: “I warmly support the Green Action Week and its goal of generating greater community and consumer awareness and support for organic food, which is an important element in enhancing child nutrition while reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides.”

"The Quezon City Government is honored to partner with the EcoWaste Coalition in promoting ecological urban agriculture practices, including the composting of biodegradable discards, as this is beneficial for public health and the environment," she added.

Eli Ildenfonso, Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, for his part, said: “We encourage our barangays and households to adopt appropriate composting practices that will recycle kitchen and garden waste into rich fertilizer and soil amendment for growing organic vegetables.”

Green Action Week is an initiative by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Sweden’s largest and oldest environmental organizations and a partner of EcoWaste Coalition. It is carried out in coordination with Consumers International, a federation of consumer groups.

Among the local groups who participated in this year’s observance of the Green Action Week at QMC were the Agri-Aqua Network International, Inc., Cavite Green Coalition, EARTH UST, La Sallian Community Development Center, Malaya, Miriam PEACE, Mother Earth Foundation, Piglas Kababaihan, Sarilaya, Zero Waste Recycling Movement, Barangay Project 6 officials and the Joy of Urban Farming Community Beneficiaries.

QC participates in “Our Cities, Our Climate Exchange Program”

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA)—Quezon City has participated in the second annual “Our Cities, Our Climate” Exchange Program.

Mayor Herbert Bautista has designated Ms. Frederika C. Rentoy, Head of the Environment Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), as the official delegate to the 10-day exchange program.

The exchange program is a learning experience which will gather 17 Urban Sustainability Directors from 16 countries. This program aims to highlight and advance city climate action by facilitating best practices and strengthening relations between local climate change leaders.

Mayor Bautista said that QC participated in the Exchange Program as a “way of building on our work toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”

He added that Ms. Rentoy’s participation in the program will enable QC to share its own challenges and success in addressing climate change, while learning from other participating cities, as part of its commitment to broaden efforts and encourage global action. Mayor Bautista is enthusiastic that with this engagement, QC will have innovations and tools to tackle pressing local climate challenges while upscaling such actions for global impact.

The Our Cities, Our Climate program runs from October 5 – 15 and will cover travelling to the cities of San Francisco, Austin and Washington D.C. Each city will host meetings with US leaders in the sustainability field where there will be brainstorming and problem-solving sessions and briefings.

There will also be site visits focused on climate challenges such as solid waste management, transformation of energy supplies, building efficiency and adaptation planning.

The exchange program is a partnership between the US State Department and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Quezon City to activate emergency hotline 122

By Bianca Rose Dabu (BRD/LBG, GMA News)

After the Philippine National Police launched the nationwide government hotlines for citizen complaint (8888) and emergencies (911) last August, the local government of Quezon City will follow suit by activating its own emergency hotline soon.

Residents, visitors, and even those transiting one of the most populous cities of the country can dial 122, and their call will be directed to the city's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where call takers are on duty 24/7.

The calls will be regulated by various law enforcement and frontline service units, including the Quezon City Police District, Bureau of Fire Protection, the QC Department of Public Order and Safety, QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, QC Radio Communications Service and the QC Public Affairs and Information Services Office.

Six years since the setting up of the city’s own emergency and information help line, the "122 hotline" will be formally launched by city mayor Herbert Bautista during his State of the City Address this October.

According to QC Department of Public Order and Safety chief Elmo San Diego, the activation of the city's emergency hotline is a part of the emergency services capability upgrade.

“What Quezon City is having under Mayor Herbert Bautista’s leadership is an integrated, seamless and end-to-end operations system,” he said.

The activation of the hotline has been put on hold pending the construction of the EOC inside the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Building.

Launched in August, the EOC is equipped with a state-of-the-art surveillance camera system, solar power generation system and several layers of communications systems designed to continue operating even during extreme situations.

More than fifty percent of the nation’s labor force are in NCR

(PSA/RJB/MAPA/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) --- More than fifty percent of the country’s labor force can be found in Metro Manila.

Records from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that 63.7% of the 42.5 million persons (15 years old and over) reported in the labor force are in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In the January 2016 Labor Force Survey of PSA, NCR had 93.2% employment rate out of the 40.1 million number of employed persons in the country.

NCR ranked 13th among the sixteen regions. On the other hand, unemployment rate is recorded at 5.8% in the same period with 2.5 million number of unemployed persons. Recorded unemployment rate in NCR is 6.8%.

On a national level, record showed that three in every five (60%) employed persons were males. While, 26.8% of the total employed were in the age group of 25 to 34; 23.3% were 35 to 44 years old; and 17.8% were 15 to 24 years old.

Nationwide, more than half (56.3%) of the total employed population are workers in the services sector, around 27% were in the agriculture sector, and 16.7% were in the industry sector in January 2016.

"Among the various occupation groups, laborers and unskilled workers made up the largest occupation group, accounting for 31.7% of the employed population. Officials of government and special interest organizations, corporate executives, managers, managing proprietors and supervisors were the second largest group, accounting for 16.8% of the total employed population." PSA stated.

Moreover, employed persons fall into any of these categories: wage and salary workers (63.2%), self-employed without any paid employee (25.8%), employer in own family-operated farm or business, and unpaid family workers (7.7%). Wage and salary workers are those who work for private households, private establishments, government and government-controlled corporations and those who work with pay in own family-operated farm or business.

In January 2016, more than two-thirds (67.3%) of the total employed persons were working full time (40 hours or more) and the rest, part-time (32.0%) or with a job but not at work (0.7%). Among those who worked full-time, 23.2 percent worked more than 48 hours during the reference week.

Furthermore, "there were more male unemployed (63.4%) than female unemployed. Almost one-half (48.2%) of the unemployed were young workers or in age group 15 to 24 years. Across educational groups, 32.9% of the total unemployed were high school graduates, 6.2% were post secondary graduates, 14.5% were college undergraduates, and 19.7% were college graduates." PSA survey stated.

"In the same period, 36.7% of the population 15 years old and over were not in the labor force, i.e. housewives, students, persons with disability, and retirees, etc. Around 68.1% of those not in the labor force were women. Almost one-half (48.3%) of those not in the labor force belonged to the age group 15 to 24 years." PSA also stated.

Maynilad offers free septic tank cleaning service this October

(MAYNILAD/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) – This month of October, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is offering free septic tank cleaning services to its residential customers in select parts of Quezon City, Caloocan, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and Cavite.

Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez emphasized that Maynilad’s sanitation program is part of the effort to protect community health and the environment. “We ask our customers to avail of this service, as it helps to lessen pollution loading into our river systems.”

According to Maynilad, residential customers in the following areas can avail of the free service: Barangay Fairview in Quezon City; Brgys. 16-18, 20, 22, 25-28, 30-37, 44-46 and 80-99 in Caloocan; and Brgys. Balangkas, Bisig, Canumay East, Isla, Karuhatan, Malanday, Malinta, Marulas, Palasan, Parada, Tagalag and Wawang Pulo in Valenzuela.

Residential customers in the south may also avail of this service, particularly those from Brgy. CAA in Las Piñas; Sucat in Muntinlupa; and Baclaran in Parañaque; Banalo, Campo Santo, Daang Bukid, Digman, Dulong Bayan, Kaingin, Maliksi II and III, Real I and II, Tabing Dagat, and Zapote I to V in Bacoor; Malagasang I-A to I-F, Malagasang II-A and II-B, Malagasang II-D to II-G, Pag-asa I to III, and Palico II to IV in Imus; Balsahan-Bisita, Magdalo, Marulas, Panamitan, Poblacion, Pulvorista, Santa Isabel, Tabon II and III, Toclong, Tramo-Bantayan, and Wakas II in Kawit, Cavite; Magdiwang, Poblacion, Salcedo I and II, San Antonio II, San Jose II, San Juan II, and Santa Rosa I in Noveleta, Cavite; and Kanluran, Muzon II, Poblacion, Sapa III, Silangan I and II, and Wawa II and III in Rosario, Cavite.

Interested customers and for more information, please call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 or visit their website at www.mayniladwater.com.ph, and social media accounts (Twitter: @maynilad, Facebook: MayniladWater).

Eastwood City’s 11th Pet Blessing celebration hails heroic Philippine K9 units

(Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon)

Eastwood City, the country’s first ever pet-friendly community, invites all pet owners and pet lovers to take part in its 11th Annual Pet Blessing celebration on Sunday (October 2) at the open park of Eastwood Mall at 3 p.m..

This year’s event will not only honor the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi but will also salute the heroic canines of various Philippine K9 units and their handlers.

“Superhero Pets,” the event’s theme, puts the spotlight on organizations such as the Quezon City Police District, the Philippine Coast Guard K9 Unit, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Get to meet these highly skilled canines and their handlers and learn more about how they serve the community.

Gerald Anderson will also be making an appearance to raise awareness on the important role of service dogs and for the actor’s non-profit organization the Gerald Anderson Foundation that trains service dogs for rescue and therapy.

The event will also be open to the public as other pet lovers are invited to register their dogs for the Mass and blessing. Admission is free and registration will begin at 11 a.m. at Eastwood Mall’s concierge area.

To join the festivities, owners need only to bring their pet’s latest vaccination papers to secure an Eastwood City Pet Pass and register for the blessing. Participants will also enjoy vet consultations, grooming stations and other fun activities such as a Pet Fair, a Pet Buffet, Pet Playgrounds, a Costume Contest, Games and Raffle Draws.

For more details, contact the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at (+632) 709-9888, (+632) 709-0888 or (+63) 917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifesytlemalls.com.

Followers flock to QC church for La Naval festivities

By Chito A. Chavez

Hundreds of devotees of the Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval flock daily to the Quezon City Hall daily to pay their respects and pray for blessings as the holy image makes its visit in time for the city’s founding anniversary this month.

One familiar face Ernesto Maga, a traffic enforcer of city’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), is a permanent fixture when holy image is prominently displayed at the main lobby of the Quezon City Hall.

For the past 26 years, Maga has served as member of the city’s gala platoon tasked to carry the image from the time the image is carried to the altar as he is also present for the departure rites.

“Pakiramdam ko ang La Naval ang pinagkukunan ko ng inspirasyon at lakas. Sa totoo lang, hindi pa ako nakaranas ng matinding karamdaman mula ng magsimula akong magbuhat (I feel that this is my source of strength and inspiration. To tell you frankly I have never experienced such feeling ever since I strated carrying the image),” said Maga, who is the only member of the DPOS gala platoon who has remained with the team since 1992.

As for the weight of the image, Maga said he never felt the burden even if he estimated that the more than five feet high image weighs more than 100 kilos

To date, novena masses are held daily at the Quezon City Hall main lobby where city hall employees and other Catholic devotees can pay homage to the La Naval image, which was enthroned at the QC Memorial Circle – Philcoa Gate on September 30 and arrived at QC Hall on Monday, October 3.

The La Naval visit, which ushers in the start of festivities for the celebration of Quezon City’s founding anniversary on October 12, will be capped by a “Misa ng Bayan” at 9 a.m., also at QC Hall.

The QC Tourism Department has been tasked to oversee the La Naval festivity.

The image of the La Naval, considered as the oldest and most popular image of the Our Lady of Holy Rosary in the Philippines, was originally venerated in the Old Dominican Sto. Domingo Church in Intramuros, Manila.

QC mayor leads oath signing on migrants’ rights

(The Manila Times)

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista recently led 53 governors, mayors and local government officicials from over 20 countries in signing a commitment to promote and advance the rights, protection and empowerment of migrants and their families.

The signing of the document called the Quezon City Commitment, according to a statement, capped the two-day 3rd Global Mayoral Forum, which the city hosted from September 29 to 30.

The Quezon City Commitment shall serve as a guiding principle for the adoption of developmental policies necessary to enable migrants to become productive members of society, the mayor said in his speech before the forum participants.

As provided under the commitment to action, signatories vowed to collaborate on creation of an enabling and conducive environment for migrants and their families, including implementation of initiatives and actions to ensure that migration is experienced as a positive development phenomenon.

Creating a conducive environment for migrants calls for the provision of financial and technical support, building of appropriate migration and developmental structures and facilities, implementation of programs and services and enactment of policies for migrants.

Toward this end, Bautista and Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City (Albay) had proposed the creation of an Informal Working Group (IWG) among the mayors for the purpose of developing a blueprint for local governments on Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC)

“What we are doing is start forming our own working group focusing on Asean migration concerns. Then we can be part of the larger working group that will involve all the mayors here present and others who are also selected to come up with guidelines for universal application,” the QC mayor said.

The creation of these working groups, he added, is necessary to help discuss problems, challenges and solutions more extensively, and see what parallels can be drawn from each relative to their respective experiences, perspectives and good practices.

MetroPac to convert QC waste into power

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is investing P15 billion to build a waste-to-energy project in Payatas, Quezon City.

Metro Pacific teamed up with US-based Covanta, a world leader in providing sustainable waste and energy solutions, and Macquarie as technical partners for the venture.

Metro Pacific chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the unsolicited project would be subject to the approval of the Quezon City government.

“If we are successful here, this can be template for other local government units to address their solid waste and dumping. Nobody wants these wastes to be dumped in their backyard,” Pangilinan said.

The proposed facility will have a capacity to handle 3,000 tons a day of solid waste and produce 30 to 40 megawatts of power.

Covanta, based in New Jersey, has over 50 waste-to-energy facilities around the world, handling 20 million tons of wastes which are enough to produce renewable energy to power one million homes.

This is the second attempt of Metro Pacific group to build a waste-to-energy project in the country. Metro Pacific signed an investment agreement with GGI Energy Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based company in 2014 for the development of a waste-to-energy facility in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

The facility was supposed to produce 2 MW of power and 10,000 liters of biodiesel a day, with an option to expand it to 6 MW. The project is estimated to cost P600 million to P700 million.

Metro Pacific announced last year it terminated the investment agreement with GGI Energy because of the “non-completion of the conditions precedent under the investment agreement by the stipulated long stop date.”

Metro Pacific said it would continue to purse waste-to-energy projects in the country to address issues on solid waste management and increased demand for electricity.

The infrastructure conglomerate earlier said it was looking at creating a portfolio of waste-to-energy facilities with a generating capacity of 300 MW in the coming years.

Metro Pacific currently has investments in hospitals, power generation, tollroads, logistics and water utility.

10 senior citizens with outstanding contributions to the society cited

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), SCS/LSJ]

MANILA, Oct. 2 (PNA) -- The Coalition of Services of the Elderly Inc. (COSE), in highlighting the 2016 Elderly Week Celebration, awarded 10 senior citizens on Sunday for their outstanding contribution to the society.

The awarding, held at Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura Hall of the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, was also led and supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as the lead government agency for social protection.

Proclamation No. 470 signed in 1994 by then President Fidel Ramos designated Oct. 1-7 of every year as Elderly Filipino Week, or Linggo ng Nakatatandang Filipino, to emphasize the important role that older persons play in nation building, as well as raise and address issues concerning the sector.

The 10 awardees are: Marcial T. Angkok, 74, from Caloocan City; Alejandro L. Baluyot, 60, Los Banos, Laguna; Agatona Cachero, 97, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Estrella M. Castuciano, 78, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite; Lolita B. Dela Cruz, 67, Rodriguez, Rizal; Susan P. Evangelista, 74, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Nieves P. Gutierrez, 67, Barangay Pandatung, Hermosa, Bataan; Crisanta Q. Layos, 66, Medellin, Cebu; Nilo delos Reyes, 61, Caloocan City; and Angelita C. Villaflor, 65, Hagonoy, Bulacan.

All of them did not receive any similar recognition from the COSE previously.

They comprised the 26th batch of elders handed with the same award.

COSE selects at least 10 older persons every year who are nominated based on their exemplary contributions in the fields of health, education, cultural preservation, helping persons with disabilities (PWDs) and fellow older persons, teaching disaster response work, and many others.

Edward Gerlock, founder of COSE, said that the latest awardees, added to the previous ones, brings the total number of awardees to about 260.

"We are hoping that there will come a day when we can award at least a thousand of elders as we believe that there are still many elders in every community that need to be recognized," Gerlock said.

He said that the recognition is being made for elders so that the young people can be inspired to follow and share their good deeds as they gain wisdom from the examples set by the country's senior citizens.

Meanwhile, DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, in her keynote speech, cited how the elders help a lot in shaping the society and the young ones.

She saluted the elders for serving as examples to the youth sector in terms of fighting for the rights of others that are being enjoyed by a lot of citizens now.

The DSWD official explained that the experiences and achievements of the elders who have shown their determination and skills in nation building even in their old age deserve recognition.

Cabrera also called on the elders to practice being "S.E.X.Y." -- S-Sapat na Karanasan sa anumang aspeto sa buhay; E-Ehemplo ng mabuting pag-uugali sa kapawa; E-Extreme na pangangalaga at pagmamahal sa pamilya at lipunan; and Y-Young at Heart.

She further noted how the DSWD is assisting the indigent senior citizens in the country.

"Para sa taong 2016, meron na po tayung 1.3 million indigent senior citizens na nakatatanggap ng social pension," she added.

Cabrera said that the DSWD budget in 2017 will already include the fund for the Centenarian Act.

She said that so far, there are at least 2,992 centenarians that have been identified.

DSWD, DOH, PhilHealth join 'Walk for Life' to celebrate Elderly Filipino Week

(PNA), RMA/LSJ/PJN

MANILA, Oct. 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)on Saturday the simultaneous nationwide kick-off activity for the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week.

”In a Walk for Life 2016” activity held at SM Mall of Asia, DSWD Assistant Secretary Aleli Bawagan, DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubia and DOH Asst. Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag and other DOH officials in central and National Capital Region offices shared their support to the annual celebration as they led the walk.

With them were senior citizens from the different local government units in NCR.

The walk was part of the yearly activity to further promote the rights of the senior citizen.

These advocacies had paved the way for approval and enhancement of legislation that are beneficial to them.

Bawagan enumerated some of the current benefits and privilege that senior citizens are enjoying such as 20 percent discounts on purchase of certain goods and services, five percent utility discounts (water and electricity), free entry on some cinemas in Quezon City (but not all LGUs are implementing it), monthly pension of Php 500 for indigent senior citizens, automatic PhilHealth coverage and many others.

Bawagan said that the latest of which was the Republic Act (RA) 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 wherein the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) was signed on Sept. 26 in Malacanang Palace with President Rodrigo R. Duterte and DSWD Secretary Taguiwalo in attendance.

She also told senior citizens that the law provides that all Filipinos, who have reached 100 years old and above, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad shall be honored with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity; and a Centenarian gift in the amount of Php 100,000.

She said that funding for it will start in 2017 budget.

She said that based on the record the oldest senior citizen recorded was 122 years old.

“Sa kasalukuyan sa Pilipinas meron po tayong 2,992 na centenarians,” the DSWD Official said.

She encouraged every senior citizens to stay physically fit or aspire for good health so that they can reached the said age and enjoy the privileges entitled to them.

Meanwhile, Ubial said that DOH continued to advocate the promotion of better health outcomes to all sectors of the country including the senior citizens.

Ubial also stressed that in conformity with the theme of the celebration for this year, the young should give utmost respect, love and care for the elders.

“Hindi po natin mararating ang isang malakas at malusog na bansa kung di natin kasama ang mga senior citizens (We cannot achieve a healthy and strong nation without the senior citizens),” the Health chief said.

She said that for the part of DOH, they continuously conducted initiatives in cooperation with PhilHealth to ensure that the senior citizens enjoyed the automatic or mandatory PhilHealth coverage among the said sectors, especially those who could not really pay for their premiums.

Premiums of the PhilHealth coverage for senior citizens are paid by the revenues from the sin taxes mandated in the Sin Tax Law through the legislation passed and approved during the Aquino administration.

The Health Secretary added that the rationale behind that was to reduce the out of pocket expenditures of 1.5 million Filipinos who cannot afford to shoulder the expenses of high cost medical care and treatment that creates a big burden on the part of every poor Filipino family.

“Our dream is all Filipinos will attain the best health outcomes regardless of social status or vulnerability that they will be protected from atrocities of health care that each one of you will feel respect empowerment when you go to government hospital,” she ends up.

In addition, she said that attainment of all plans for the upliftment of health services for all Filipinos can be best achieved through more strong partnerships and support of different sectors in society.

She said that PhilHealth desks and other health services booths were set up in cooperation with other supporters for the health check-up of the elders as part of the goal to keep them healthy and strong or achieved better health outcomes and make them more aware of the services that they can avail.

The "Walk for Life" also kicked-off simultaneously in other areas of the country and it was followed by other activities that included Talakayan on Social Insurance and Forum on Elder Abuse and Legislative Agenda for Older Persons (OPPLA) – Skydome, SM North; Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (SUN) Awarding Ceremony at Dapa Hall, Phil. Heart Center; launching of National Respect for Centenarians Day – Dapa Hall, Phil. Heart Center; “Dalaw Kalinga” in residential facilities for senior citizens; Disaster Preparedness Forum for Older Persons- Quezon City Hall Bulwagang Amoranto; and “Kwento ni Lolo, Kwento ni Lola” -story-telling session.

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